Additionally, graphics and text integrated into the architecture enliven the industrial interiors and memorialize the passage of the first Minimum Wage Act for Women in the country in 1912 sparked, in part, by women working in this steam-pump foundry. Additionally, more modern history is commemorated with Elisa Hamilton’s art installation, titled “The Juke Box”, an interactive local arts project that shares recorded stories from residents about their lives in Cambridge, documenting personal histories to be heard by future generations.
HIGH PERFORMANCE
The 50,000-square-foot building welcomes Cambridge residents with an intent to minimize its environmental impact today and on future generations. The now all-electric building features high-performance windows and increased roof insulation that reduces building energy use without degrading the historic character of the envelope.
The project is targeted for LEED Gold and adheres to the City of Cambridge’s Zero Energy Ready requirements, including eliminating fossil fuels from daily building operations. In addition, the basement (added in the 1980s for parking) was filled in, bringing the ground floor above the projected base-flood elevation for 2070 and improving the building’s resiliency in the face of climate change.
The design team is working with the City of Cambridge to create a self-guided tour for tenants and visitors that highlights the sustainable features of the building, including the environmental benefits of preservation.
GOOD NEIGHBOR
Alongside the restored Foundry 101 building is a publicly accessible park with seating and bike storage for visitors and employees. The street in front of the building was previously an unwelcoming industrial alley. This street was widened so that it can be shared by vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. Additionally, new planters, rain gardens, street furniture and lighting increase the area’s safety and accessibility. Today, this shared enlivened street acts as a drop-off area that can also host events, art fairs and food trucks.
By taking inspiration from the original architecture, Foundry 101 has been transformed from an underused industrial building into a community hub for creativity with spaces that welcome community members and their diverse interests and passions.
PHOTOS: Anton Grassl unless otherwise noted
Retrofit Team
ARCHITECT, INTERIOR DESIGNER AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT LEAD: CambridgeSeven
OWNER: City of Cambridge and The Cambridge Redevelopment Authority
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: W.T. Rich Company
CIVIL ENGINEER: Nitsch Engineering
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: Simpson Gumpertz & Heger
MEP AND FIRE-PROTECTION ENGINEER: AKF
ENVIRONMENTAL GRAPHIC DESIGN: One2Tree
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: Mikyoung Kim Design
LIGHTING DESIGN: Lam Partners
ACOUSTIC AND AV ENGINEER: Acentech
PUBLIC ARTIST: Elisa Hamilton
Materials
INTERIOR
Interior Wood Storefront System: Duratherm Window Co. LLC
Accessories: Sugatsune
Bath Fittings: Sloan, Moen, Delta, Elkay, Just Manufacturing, Chicago Faucets and Franke
Bath Surfaces: Stone Source and Daltile
Ceilings: CertainTeed
Flooring: Shaw Floors and Milliken
Kitchen Appliances, Equipment: Wolf and Subzero and Alto-Shaam
Kitchen Surfaces: Silestone and Wilsonart
Lighting: Barbican, Fluxwerx, Mark Architectural Lighting, Lumenwerx, Lumenpulse, Gotham, Scout, Lithonia Lighting, Visa Lighting and Juno
Paint: PPG
Skylight: Clearshade from Panelite
Acoustic Floor Isolation and Noise Control: Kinetics Noise Control
EXTERIOR
Cladding/Façade Systems: Waterstruck Brick from Stiles and Hart, ATAS International Inc. and AkzoNobel
Doors: Reynaers
Custom Stage Door: Noise-Lock from IAC Acoustics
Glazing: Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope
Lighting: Zaneen
Windows: Marvin
EPDM Roof Membrane and Roof Insulation: Johns Manville
OUTDOORS
Landscape Pavers: Hanover Architectural Products
Lighting: Lumenblade from Lumenpulse, Hydrel, LF Illumination, and Kelvix